Devices and methods for aiding in the display and presentation of pocket handkerchiefs

ABSTRACT

The invention of the present disclosure is a device and methods for aiding in the presentation of pocket squares. The device may comprise a substantially rectangular sheet with a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges, the two side edges disposed substantially parallel to each other, the substantially rectangular sheet further comprising adaptations for engaging a pocket square in various conformations such as cut outs and/or clips. The device may be coupled with at least one extension. Methods of engaging a pocket square with the devices are also disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of this disclosure relates to the field of apparel devices, and particularly to devices used in aiding users in the display and presentation of handkerchiefs or pocket squares.

BACKGROUND

The use of handkerchiefs or pocket squares (hereinafter “pocket squares”) to adorn the pocket of suit jackets, sport coats and the like, is a popular way to appear fashionable and add accent to an outfit. The use of a pocket square can be a classy way to bring colors and patterns to formal attire. Typically, the pocket square is displayed with the top portion extending out of the breast pocket of a suit jacket or sport coat.

Arranging the pocket square for presentation typically involves preparing the pocket square in some way, such as folding or rolling, and placing it in the breast pocket of the desired jacket or coat. Several difficulties are associated with the use of pocket squares. For example, the breast pocket of the jacket or coat into which the pocket square is placed, may be deeper than the pocket square is long. As a result, the pocket square may disappear into the pocket. Another issue involves the preparation of the pocket square before insertion into a pocket. The preparation may involve imparting various folds to the pocket square so that it has an interesting appearance when displayed in the pocket. This folding process may be complicated and difficult to remember or awkward to perform. Another issue regarding the use of pocket squares involves the fact that the pocket square lacks structural rigidity and can lose its form while being worn. Over time the pocket square can lose its shape, appear sloppy, require continual adjustment, or disappear entirely into the pocket. Over the years several devices have attempted to address these issues but have failed to adequately solve the problems inherent with the use of pocket squares. It is therefore the object of this disclosure to present devices and methods directed towards addressing these problems.

SUMMARY

In order to address the shortcomings in the prior art, methods and devices are disclosed to aid in the preparation, display and presentation of pocket squares. In one embodiment, a device is disclosed which comprises a substantially rectangular sheet with a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges, the two side edges are disposed substantially parallel to each other, the substantially rectangular sheet is further equipped with adaptations for engaging a pocket square in various conformations. The adaptations for engaging a pocket square may include substantially circular cut outs, diagonal slots, horizontal slots, columns of slots, clips and the like, either alone or in combination. The devices may further comprise extensions that reversibly attach to the substantially rectangular sheet thereby increasing its length. In another embodiment, the invention is a collection of methods for using the disclosed devices, comprising the steps of preparing the pocket square for use and engaging the pocket square with the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: Shows a front view of an embodiment showing the device

FIG. 2: Shows a side view of the device illustrating the varied clip options.

FIG. 3: Shows a front view of another embodiment of the device with a semi-circular top portion.

FIG. 4: Shows a front view of an embodiment of the extension portion of the device.

FIG. 5: Shows a side view of an embodiment of the extension portion of the device illustrating one possible clip configuration.

FIG. 6: Shows a front view of an embodiment of the extension portion of the device illustrating the post-hole connector.

FIG. 7: Shows a side view of an embodiment of the extension portion of the device illustrating the post-hole connector.

FIG. 8: Shows a front view of the substantially T-shaped extension.

FIG. 9: Shows a side view of the substantially T-shaped extension.

FIG. 10: Shows a top view of an embodiment of the extension portion of the device illustrating another possible clip configuration.

FIG. 11: Shows a side view of an embodiments of the extension portion of the device illustrating another possible clip configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of practicing the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

In one embodiment, the invention is a device for aiding in the presentation and display of pocket squares comprising a substantially rectangular sheet (20) with a top edge (5), a bottom edge (55), and two side edges (30), the two side edges disposed substantially parallel to each other, the substantially rectangular sheet (20) further comprising adaptations for engaging a pocket square in various conformations. The sheet may be made of any suitable material known to those skilled in the art, for example, plastic, metal, or cardboard, either alone or in combination. The sheet should have enough structural rigidity to remain upright but may also be flexible. The term substantially rectangular should be construed broadly to include shapes wherein the opposing sides are not exactly parallel, and the corner angles are not exactly 90 degrees.

The substantially rectangular sheet may be any size capable of fitting into the breast pocket of suit jackets, sport coats and the like. Particularly, the substantially rectangular sheet may be about 11.5 cm long and 8.5 cm wide.

The substantially rectangular sheet is further comprised of adaptations designed to engage a pocket square and hold the pocket square for display in various conformations. These adaptations may include cut outs of various shapes and/or clips. For example, a row of substantially circular cut outs (15), a row of diagonal slots (25) disposed diagonally with respect to the parallel side edges of the substantially rectangular sheet (20), a wide horizontal slot (35), a column of narrow horizontal slots (50), and a clip or clips (40).

The substantially circular cut outs (15) may be between 1-1.5 cm and particularly 1.2 cm in diameter. The diagonal slots (25) may be between 2-5 cm long and 2-10 mm wide, and particularly 3 cm long and 2.5 mm wide. The wide horizontal slot (35) may be 6-8 cm long and 0.3-1.5 cm wide, and particularly 7 cm long and 0.5 cm wide. The clip (40) may utilize any clipping or clamping mechanism known to those skilled in the art, for example, a spring loaded clip (60,) or a clip made from a resiliently flexible material (71) with a first end (72) and a second end (73) where the first end is fixed to the substantially rectangular sheet and the second end (73) is reversibly attachable (74) to the substantially rectangular sheet (20.) The column of narrow horizontal slits (50) may include at least 2 slits, and preferably 3 slits. The narrow horizontal slits may be 6-8 cm long and 0.5-2 mm wide.

In another embodiment, the adaptations for engaging a pocket square is a substantially semi circular top portion (80) that extends from the top edge (5) of the substantially rectangular sheet (100). The semi circular top portion (80) may further comprise a perimeter edge (85). The perimeter edge (85) may extend beyond (90) the substantially parallel edges of the substantially rectangular sheet. The semi circular top portion (80) may have a radius of between 2-6 cm and particularly 2.5 cm. The perimeter edge (85) of the top portion may extend 0.5-3 cm and particularly 1 cm beyond the side edges of the substantially rectangular sheet. The semi circular top portion may further comprise a plurality of raised studs. The substantially rectangular sheet may further comprise at least one cut out, as in, for example a plurality of horizontal slots (105). One or more horizontal slots may be present and may be about 6-8 cm long, and particularly 7 cm long and between 0.2 and 1.0 cm wide, and particularly 0.5 cm wide.

In order to accommodate breast pockets of varying depths, the devices of the present disclosure may be provided with at least one extension to increase their length. The extensions should be reversibly attachable to the devices. The reversible attachment may be accomplished with any suitable connector known to those skilled in the art. For example, the devices may further comprise a connector or connectors, adjacent to either, or both, of the top and bottom edges of the devices. The extensions will further comprise complementary connectors suitable for reversible attachment to the connectors on the devices. For example, where the connectors further comprise a post and hole connection mechanism, such that posts (145) on the at least one extension, fit snugly into holes (10) on the substantially rectangular sheet, thereby reversibly attaching the extension to the substantially rectangular sheet.

An extension for the device may further comprise a substantially rectangular sheet (135) with a top edge (120), a bottom edge (150), and two side edges (140), the two side edges disposed substantially parallel to each other, the substantially rectangular sheet further comprising adaptations for engaging a pocket square in various conformations, and, a connector for reversibly attaching to the device.

An extension for the device may further comprise a substantially T-shaped sheet (211) with a top edge (210), a bottom edge (150), a cross bar portion (212) further comprising cross bar side edges (215,) and a body portion (213) further comprising two side edges (140), the two side edges disposed substantially parallel to each other and wherein the cross bar side edges extend past the side edges of the body portion. The substantially T-shaped sheet further comprises adaptations for engaging a pocket square in various conformations, and, a connector (145) for reversibly attaching to the device.

The adaptations on the at least one extension, for engaging a pocket square in various conformations, may further comprise clips. The clips may be of any form known to those skilled in the art including but not limited to spring loaded clips, clips made from a resiliently flexible material, or the like. For example, clips (125) may be adjacent to the top edge (120) of the substantially rectangular sheet. The clips may further comprise 2 resiliently flexible clip arms, each resiliently flexible clip arm further comprising an outside end (126) and an inside end (127), wherein the outside ends of each resiliently flexible clip arm are attached to the substantially rectangular sheet. The clip arms may be sized such that the inside ends of the clip arms do not touch each other and therefore leave a gap (130) between the inside ends of the clip arms. A pocket square may be slid onto the extension through this gap between the clip arms. The connectors may further comprise a post and hole connection mechanism, such that posts (145) on extension, fit snugly into corresponding holes (10) on the device, thereby reversibly attaching the extension to the device.

In another embodiment, the invention of the present disclosure comprises methods for preparing a pocket square and engaging the pocket square with the adaptations on the devices herein described for engaging the pocket square in various conformations.

The pocket square may be prepared in a variety of ways before engaging it with the devices. Due to the inherent flexibility of pocket squares and the variety of engagement modalities of the devices, the preparation step will only be limited by the imagination of users. Some of the ways the pocket square may be prepared include, but are not limited to: folding, rolling, pinching, forming alternating pleats, scrunching, crumpling, twisting, and the like. With any of the devices and methods described, users may use a rubber band to secure a pocket square to the device. For example, a pocket square may be positioned on, or about one of the devices described above and secured in place with a rubber band wrapped around the pocket square and the device.

In one embodiment of the method, the adaptation for holding the pocket square is a row of substantially circular cut outs (15) positioned beneath the top edge of the substantially rectangular sheet. In order to engage the pocket square with the device, various aspects of the pocket square are inserted through the substantially circular cut outs.

In another embodiment of the method, the adaptation for holding the pocket square is a column of horizontal slots (50) on the device. In order to engage the pocket square with the device, the pocket square may be woven or otherwise inserted through the column of horizontal slots.

In another embodiment of the method, the adaptation for holding the pocket square is a row of diagonal slots (25) extending across the substantially rectangular sheet. In order to engage the pocket square with the device, various aspects of the pocket square may be inserted through the diagonal slots.

In another embodiment of the method the adaptation for holding the pocket square is a clip (40), attached to the substantially rectangular sheet. In order to engage the pocket square with the device, the pocket square is engaged by the clip, as in, for example, positioning the pocket square such that the pocket square is held against the device with the clip (40).

In another embodiment of the method, the adaptation for holding a pocket square is a semi circular top portion (80) extending from the top edge of the substantially rectangular sheet and optionally further comprising a perimeter edge (85) where the perimeter edge of the semicircular portion extends beyond the substantially parallel edges of the substantially rectangular sheet. In order to engage the pocket square with the device, the pocket square is arranged around the device such that the pocket square encloses the device.

With respect to the above, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components listed or the steps set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The various apparatus and methods of the disclosed invention are capable of other embodiments, and of being practiced and carried out in various ways that would be readily known to those skilled in the art, given the present disclosure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as in any way limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based by be utilized as a basis for designing other inventions with similar properties. It is important therefore that the embodiments, objects, and claims herein, be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It should be noted that the components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. However, like parts do not always have like reference numerals. Moreover, all illustrations are intended to convey concepts, where relative sizes, shapes and other detailed attributes may be illustrated schematically rather than literally or precisely. 

1. A device for aiding in the presentation and display of a pocket square comprising a substantially rectangular sheet with a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges, the two side edges disposed substantially parallel to each other, the substantially rectangular sheet further comprising adaptations for engaging a pocket square in various conformations.
 2. The device of claim 1 where the adaptations for engaging a pocket square in various conformations further comprise substantially circular cut outs, horizontal slot cut outs, and diagonally slotted cut outs.
 3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a clip, wherein the clip is coupled to the substantially rectangular sheet.
 4. The device of claim 1 where the adaptations for engaging a pocket square in various conformations further comprise; a row of substantially circular cut outs beneath the top edge of the substantially rectangular sheet; a row of diagonal slots disposed beneath the row of substantially circular cut outs, the slots disposed diagonally to the substantially parallel side edges; a wide horizontal slot, disposed beneath the row of diagonal slots, the wide horizontal slot disposed perpendicular to the substantially parallel side edges; a clip disposed beneath the wide horizontal slot; and a column of narrow horizontal slots disposed beneath the clip and disposed perpendicularly to the substantially parallel side edges.
 5. The device of claim 1 further comprising connectors adjacent to the top and bottom edges of the substantially rectangular sheet.
 6. The device of claim 5 further comprising at least one extension, the at least one extension further comprising connectors complementary to the connectors on the substantially rectangular sheet, and wherein the at least one extension is reversibly attachable to the substantially rectangular sheet by the connectors.
 7. The device of claim 6 wherein the connectors further comprise a post and hole connection mechanism, such that posts on the at least one extension, fit into holes on the substantially rectangular sheet, thereby reversibly attaching the at least one extension to the substantially rectangular sheet.
 8. The device of claim 1 where the adaptation for engaging a pocket square in various conformations further comprises a semi circular top portion extending from the top edge of the substantially rectangular sheet.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein the semi circular top portion further comprises a perimeter edge and the perimeter edge of the semicircular portion extends beyond the substantially parallel edges of the substantially rectangular sheet.
 10. An extension for the device of claim 5 further comprising a substantially rectangular sheet with a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges, the two side edges disposed substantially parallel to each other, the substantially rectangular sheet further comprising adaptations for engaging a pocket square in various conformations, and a connector for reversibly attaching to the device of claim
 5. 11. The device of claim 10 wherein the adaptations for engaging a pocket square in various conformations further comprise a clip adjacent to the top edge of the substantially rectangular sheet.
 12. The device of claim 11 wherein the clip further comprises 2 resiliently flexible clip arms, each resiliently flexible clip arm further comprising an outside end and an inside end, wherein the outside ends of each resiliently flexible clip arm are attached to the substantially rectangular sheet.
 13. The device of claim 12 further comprising connectors adjacent to the bottom edge of the substantially rectangular sheet.
 14. The device of claim 13 wherein the connectors further comprise a post and hole connection mechanism, such that posts on the at least one extension, fit snugly into corresponding holes on the device of claim 1, thereby reversibly attaching the at least one extension to the device of claim
 1. 15. A method for displaying a pocket square using the device of claim 1 comprising the steps of preparing the pocket square, and engaging the pocket square with the adaptations on the device for engaging a pocket square in various conformations.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the adaptation for engaging a pocket square in various conformations is a row of substantially circular cut outs beneath the top edge of the substantially rectangular sheet and further comprising the step of inserting various aspects of the pocket square through the substantially circular cut outs.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein the adaptation for engaging a pocket square in various conformations wherein the adaptation for engaging a pocket square in various conformations is a column of horizontal slots and further comprising the step of weaving the pocket square through the column of horizontal slots.
 18. The method of claim 15 wherein the adaptation for engaging a pocket square in various conformations is a row of diagonal slots and further comprising the step of inserting various aspects of the pocket square through the diagonal slots.
 19. The method of claim 15 wherein the adaptation for engaging a pocket square in various conformations is a clip and further comprising the step of engaging the pocket square with the clip.
 20. The method of claim 15 wherein the adaptation for engaging a pocket square in various conformations is a semi circular top portion that extends from the top edge of the substantially rectangular sheet and further comprising the step of enclosing the device in the pocket square. 